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“The ranger who’s horse Britt stole earlier today.”
Gina whipped around to stare at her.
“I didn’t steal his horse. I just…didn’t leave it for him where I caught it.”
“Thought you said your trip was uneventful?”
At her insistence, Britt was forced to relay the story once again. Casey walked up at the end, took one look at Britt, and smirked. “You saw who walked into the bar, didn’t you?”
“She sure did,” his wife confirmed.
Britt offered up her best pleading look. He enjoyed giving her a hard time, but his earlier comments told her he was on her side where the arrogant ranger was concerned. “Casey, please, I can’t face him like this. It has to be on even ground.”
He glanced toward Joel’s truck. “The pavement in front of the bar is fairly level—”
She splashed water at him as the girls laughed. “I’m serious. Just tell him I’m not here.”
“I won’t lie to him, Britt.”
She sighed with resignation. Though he wasn’t officially a ranger yet, he already thought like one. No matter how much he joked around, it wasn’t fair of her to even ask him to compromise his integrity. “Okay, then tell him the next time you see me, you’ll tell me he wants to talk to me. It’s not a lie.”
“It’s probably better to get it over with,” he advised.
“Probably, but not like this. Not in my swimsuit.”
“You never know, the distraction of that bikini could work in your favor,” Gina suggested.
“She has a good point,” Jayne agreed.
Casey raised his eyebrows in silent inquiry, but Britt shook her head. “No way.”
“All right, relax. I’ll handle everything.” As he walked away, his wicked grin did nothing to reassure her.
Chapter 6
Joel stood by the Please wait to be seated sign of Highlands’ Sunset Vista Restaurant as the sun began to slip below the mountain peaks. Through the windows, he noted the lake in front of the restaurant afforded diners and bar patrons alike a great view of the sunset.
“Explains the name,” he murmured wryly.
On his way inside, he’d spotted Casey Fuller across the parking lot, headed into the Sports Center. Now there was a guy he’d have to get to know better. He knew a lot of the locals and might be able to lend some insight to Joel’s case.
Problem was, the guy didn’t t
rust him.
“Good evening. Table for one, or are you waiting for someone?”
Joel turned around to face the short-haired redhead standing before him with a menu in hand. “Just me.”
She gave him a bright smile. “Right this way.”
His waiter appeared as the hostess finished reciting the specials, so he ordered a beer and the grilled bruschetta chicken. Alone once more, he turned his thoughts back to the man who hadn’t bothered to conceal his dislike from the moment they’d met. It was a welcome distraction from the other blond who’d been dominating his thoughts all damn day.
Being Estes Park was a tourist town, Joel suspected Fuller’s aversion was reserved for him alone. People who made a living off the money tourists brought in didn’t treat strangers with hostility.
Casey’s cold reception begged the question; did he have a criminal reason for resenting Joel’s presence in his town? One thing he’d discovered immediately upon his arrival, the gossip mill around town was alive and thriving. The wrangler likely knew why Joel was here, even though the rangers at the station had been instructed not to talk about the case.
He took a sip of his beer. Yes, he’d have to work on the guy. As with all his investigations, he had the time to work the angles. Unfortunately, the animals didn’t.
